Alabama Sen. Katie Britt sponsors Lulu’s Law to create shark attack alerts

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — Many across the globe have supported 15-year-old Lulu Gribbin after she lost her hand and leg in a shark attack this summer.

As lawmakers prepare legislation this fall, Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL) is introducing Lulu’s Law to honor the Alabama teen’s resilience.

“The moment that I had an opportunity to talk with her parents, this is one of the very top things that they wanted to see changed,” said Britt. “And I commend not only Lulu’s continued character but that of her parents.”

Britt explained that Lulu’s Law would allow law enforcement to use the Amber Alert system to notify people when a shark attack happens. Authorities say Lulu and one of her friends were attacked by a shark 90 minutes after another shark attack in Walton County, FL.

Britt believes the second attack could have been prevented if this system had been in place.

“As a mom, I know that her parents just have to be so proud. And as a mom myself, thinking about how do we help other families in the future, maybe be able to prevent some type of attack like this on their family,” said Britt.

Alabama voters speak on what they want out of the 2024 presidential election

State Rep. David Faulkner (R-Mountain Brook) said he has known Lulu for a long time. He commends Senator Britt for her work and said he is ready to take action at the state level.

“Lulu, that sweet girl who I know personally, was attacked standing in waist-deep water,” said Faulkner. “It’s time that this be addressed and we come up with ways to keep sharks off our coastline.”

Britt said as Lulu moves forward, she is also thinking about how she can help others.

“As a parent, you could only hope that if your child was faced with the unimaginable that they would respond even remotely in the way that she has,” said Britt. “Her testimony is going to be one of grit, and grace, and continued resiliency.”

Britt said she will be working diligently to get the bill through the Senate and House of Representatives.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.